Lenora Ruth Challender, 81, Jasper

Lenora Ruth Challender went home to be with her “Good, Good Father” from Deaconess Gateway, Evansville late afternoon Monday, August 22, 2022.

Lenora was born on December 12, 1940, in Big Rapids, Michigan, to Roy Eften and Susan Taylor.

She graduated from Big Rapids High School and earned an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Learning while raising a family, driving a school bus, and working full-time for the Headstart Program in both Michigan and Indiana, where she taught for more than 25 years.  Lenora was preceded in death by two younger siblings, Lawrence Taylor, Ferrysburg,

MI and Daniel Taylor, Detroit, MI, her firstborn daughter, Catherine Dubois, beloved grandson, Jason Milholin and one great-grandson, Dillion Olsson.

She is survived by two sisters, Carol (Jim) Rutter, Bonnie (Bob) Baker and one brother, Bruce Taylor. Six adoring children, Terry (Darla) Fullington of Otwell, Julie Fullington of Shoals, William (Mary) Fullington of Perrinton Mich., John (Cathy) Fullington of Velpen, Tina (Gregg) Pearson of Petersburg, Philip (Anna) Fullington of Lincoln and her soulmate husband of 45 years, Ernest Challender of Jasper.

Lenora was loved and admired by sixteen grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews along with all her Christian Family from the Huntingburg Community Church of the Nazarene where she served faithfully teaching precious children. Little ones were her passion. Needless to say, she is missed beyond measure.

Lenora loved reading, especially her Bible, Southern Gospel music, going to concerts, her family, her church and her God.

She was a devoted wife, nurturing mother and wholesome example to the hundreds of lives she touched with her compassionate love. Her cup, always full. Her smile, always bright. Her attitude, always positive. She loved every one.

A funeral service for Lenora Challender will be held at 1:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, August 26, 2022, at First Community Church of the Nazarene in Huntingburg. Burial will take place at a later date. Pastor Alan Bradley will officiate the service.

Friends may call for visitation at the Nass & Son Funeral Home in Huntingburg from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 25, 2022, and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Community Church of the Nazarene. 

Condolences may be shared online at www.nassandson.com.